The family continuity of care contract.

Continuity of care has been defined as a contract between a patient and physician for medical care. This study looks at continuity of care in a community family practice residency program before and after office contact has been made with at least one member of the family by the assigned physician. It is assumed that during such a visit a contract for care of the family is made. Using this premise, continuity of care increased significantly when the different resident levels and faculty were compared over a 2.5-month period. It seems reasonable to measure the continuity of care provided an assigned family only after a contract has been made. This contract should be accomplished in an initial intake interview or during the initial office contact with the assigned physician.